Description
Million Dollar Spaghetti is a rich and creamy baked pasta casserole that combines spaghetti with savory ground beef and Italian sausage, layered with a luscious blend of cream cheese, ricotta, sour cream, and topped with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. This comforting dish is perfect for a family dinner and guaranteed to please every palate with its irresistible cheesy goodness and hearty flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Meat
- 1 pound spaghetti, cooked and drained
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casing removed
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Sauces and Cheeses
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Other Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter, sliced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Meats: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage until browned and fully cooked, breaking up the meat into crumbles.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the browned meat and sauté for about 5 minutes until the onions are softened and translucent.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: Drain excess fat from the skillet. Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Reduce heat and simmer the sauce for 5-10 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
- Mix Cheese Blend: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, ricotta cheese, and sour cream. Mix until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble Layers: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread half of the cooked spaghetti evenly in the dish, dot with half of the sliced butter, and then spread the cheese mixture evenly over the top.
- Add Remaining Layers: Add the remaining spaghetti over the cheese layer, dot the top with the remaining butter slices, and pour the meat sauce evenly over everything.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the casserole.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to heat through and meld flavors.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is golden brown on top.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes to set before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired for an added touch of freshness and color.
Notes
- Use cottage cheese as a substitute for ricotta cheese to make a lighter version of the dish.
- This casserole freezes well and makes excellent leftovers for an easy future meal.
- For an extra kick of heat, add red pepper flakes to the meat sauce to suit your spice preference.
